Platinum Club owner, supporters speak up

Two weeks ago, Pride of Kinston Executive Director Adrian King stood before the Kinston City Council and called The Platinum Club “an eyesore in the heart of our downtown.”

David Anderson / Staff Writer

Two weeks ago, Pride of Kinston Executive Director Adrian King stood before the Kinston City Council and called The Platinum Club “an eyesore in the heart of our downtown.”

Club owner Tharol Branch stood before the same city leaders Monday, and turned King’s statements back at him.

“Mr. King is the eyesore for downtown,” Branch said.

Branch blasted King for financial mismanagement, including bringing up an issue King had with the Internal Revenue Service earlier this year over personal income taxes he owed.

He said King could not “go before the whole wild world and lie and blame,” and expect him to not respond.

Branch said he has supported the city through his utility bill payments, employed people, and even purchased homes on the east side of Kinston, where he said no other investment has taken place.

At least eight people, including Branch’s friends, employees and family members, spoke in support of the Platinum Club.

David Bell of the IndyLeft PAC accused city officials of working to “strategically destroy” black-owned businesses in downtown Kinston, and pledging support to enterprises which glorify the Confederacy, and businesses slated to go across from the Platinum Club such as the currently under-construction Asian bistro and gourmet burger and oyster bar in the Harvey-Brody building.

“This is about everyone else having fun downtown but not us,” he said of black people.

Bell also blasted Mayor B.J. Murphy for not keeping campaign promises to lower electric bills, and for reaching out to black voters, yet also speaking during a rally for Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan — Murphy is a Republican, but was able to swing enough crossover Democratic and unaffiliated votes to win a three-way race for mayor in 2009.

“Please do not walk through the ‘hood, shaking people's hands trying to mislead them when you're speaking at the Paul Ryan rally,” Bell told Murphy.

Several men who work as security personnel at the club spoke in support of Branch.

Gary Griffin said his job has helped keep him away from a life of crime and drugs. He stressed the club is safe and encouraged council members to visit.

“If any one of you all were to come to our club you would thoroughly enjoy yourselves, I know you would,” he said.

Justin Howard called Branch “the best man I've ever known,” and gave him work when he could not find a job anywhere else.

Tyshun Wilson, a Kinston minister who previously ran a business next door to the Platinum Club, said Branch had given him financial support in the past.

Wilson said, as a minister, he did not condone the club lifestyle, but supported Branch as a businessman.

“I am strictly for God’s business, but I do not think it’s right that you are trying to close a young man’s business down,” he said.

King, who could not be seen at Monday’s meeting, asked council members two weeks ago to look into a legal means of closing the club down. The club is often blamed for violent incidents that have happened near it in recent years.

The city does not have the statutory authority to close the club, though. City Manager Tony Sears said at the time he and Public Safety Director Bill Johnson planned to speak to the District Attorney’s office and see what options the city had.

The city manager said Tuesday the city has not yet contacted the DA, and “we’re still assessing the situation.”

Branch leases the former Paramount Theater for the club. The building is owned by the late Ted Sampley’s son and daughter, Lane and Wendy Sampley.

An eviction notice was posted on the door following the council meeting two weeks ago, but Branch said Tuesday he is working with the owners to purchase the building.

He said the club remains open for business.

Mayor pro tem Joe Tyson stressed Monday that city officials and the City Council “have taken no action” to close the club.

“We appreciate your concern and we are listening,” he told audience members.

David Andersoncan be reached at 252-559-1077 or David.Anderson@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at DavidFreePress.